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Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, former Sen. Rick Santorum, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Rep. Ron Paul, gather on the stage prior to the NBC News- Facebook Debate on 'Meet the Press' Jan. 8, 2012.
Updated at 10:40 a.m. ET
CONCORD, N.H. -- The second debate in 12 hours for the six GOP presidential hopefuls was book-ended by moments of scrutiny for Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and prohibitive favorite to win New Hampshire's Tuesday primary.
Mitt Romney found himself under fire from conservative detractors in the opening and closing moments of an NBC News-Facebook debate, broadcast on "Meet the Press" Sunday morning. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum led the charge against Romney, questioning just how conservative of a nominee he would be for Republicans.
2012 GOP presidential candidates square off in a debate from New Hampshire hosted by NBC's David Gregory.
The heat on Romney fizzled during the middle of the portion of the debate before re-emerging toward the end, when Romney and Gingrich did public battle over the negative ads run by various super PACs in Iowa and New Hampshire, which have affected the trajectory of the GOP campaign.
The scrutiny represented a last effort by the other five Republican presidential candidates to draw contrasts with Romney with just 48 hours to go until Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.
VOTE NOW: Did the NBC News-Facebook debate change your pick for president?
"If his record was so great as governor of Massachusetts, why didn't he run for re-election?" asked Santorum, who battled Romney to a virtual draw at last Tuesday's Iowa caucus. "If it was that great, why did you bail out?"
Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman discuss what they would do to cut lower federal taxes on the American public at the NBC News/Facebook debate in N.H.
But Romney kept the focus on his own record and eschewed attacking candidates, especially Santorum and Gingrich, who are expected to pose little threat to his strong lead in advance of the primary.
"I'm very proud of my record and I think the one thing you can't fool the people of New Hampshire about is the record of a governor next door," Romney said in response to the pile-on, largely avoiding making direct attacks against his detractors.
At one point, though, when Santorum interrupted him, Romney snipped: "Rick, it's still my time."
The attacks on Romney were an element largely absent from another GOP debate Saturday night in Manchester. The rest of the Republican field is looking to draw distinctions with Romney in the remaining 48 hours before the New Hampshire primary, in which, according to polls, Romney is leading.
We live-tweeted the NBC News/Facebook debate – check out what was said
Gingrich, who had vowed to draw more stark contrasts with Romney in New Hampshire after having been assailed by ads in Iowa run by a pro-Romney super PAC, voiced criticisms of Romney similar to the ones he'd voiced while barnstorming through the Granite State this week.
"I think that a bold Reagan conservative, with a very strong economic plan, is a lot more likely to succeed in that campaign than a relatively timid, Massachusetts moderate who even the Wall Street Journal said had an economic plan so timid it resembled Obama," Gingrich said.
Watch additional coverage from New Hampshire as 2012 GOP presidential candidates square off in a debate hosted by NBC's David Gregory.
But the former speaker also said that he didn't think that Romney was unelectable -- backing off from the language contained in a flier distributed by the Gingrich campaign calling Romney "not electable."
Gingrich and Romney sparred again in the waning moments of the debate, in which Romney said he hoped a super PAC spending on his behalf would delete any inaccurate material from its ads about Gingrich. Those ads were particularly effective in diminishing the former speaker's support in Iowa. But Romney said the criticism of Gingrich contained in the Restore Our Future ads were largely accurate.
Special weekend First Thoughts: Rivals pile on Romney
"I'm glad, finally, on this stage, weeks later he has said, 'Gee, if they're wrong, they should take them down,'" said Gingrich, who's complained vocally about the ads.
The gathering featured a number of secondary storylines, particularly former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's bid to gain traction in New Hampshire, and the bickering between Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
Overcoming a past debate gaffe, Rick Perry successfully named the three government departments he would cut to laughter and applause at the NBC News/Facebook debate in N.H.
Huntsman sought to make a final pitch to voters in New Hampshire, where he has concentrated his campaign on winning Tuesday's primary, but has stuggled to gain traction in the polls. He defended his service as ambassador to China for President Barack Obama, but also emphasized his fiscal plans as most in-line with conservative principles.
"The American people are tired of the partisan division. They have had enough," he said, making a pitch to independent voters. "And I say, we've had enough, and we have to change our direction in terms of coming together as Americans first and foremost and finding solutions to our problems."
And in one of the morning's undercard battles, Santorum and Paul sparred over the libertarian congressman's scant record of legislative accomplishments, and Paul's foreign policy favoring more limited international involvement.
"The problem with Congressman Paul is that all the things Republicans like about him he can't accomplish, and all the things they don't want him to do, he can do day one," Santorum said.
Paul has drawn boisterous crowds in just a handful of rallies here in New Hampshire. But he ranks second, at 22 percent, in this week's NBC News-Marist poll of likely GOP primary voters in the state.
Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney talk about how Republicans and Democrats can reach across the aisle to make a divided government function at the NBC News/Facebook debate in N.H.
He defended his legislative record as evidence that it's Congress that's out-of-touch.
"That demonstrates how out of touch the U.S. government and the U.S. Congress is with the American people," he said.
The gathering represented another chance for candidates to draw contrasts with each other after a Saturday night debate did little to alter the trajectory of the campaign. Romney went relatively unscathed in that outing.
New Hampshire voters head to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the nation's first primary of the 2012 cycle, and the second nominating contest following last Tuesday's Iowa caucus. Romney battled Rick Santorum to a virtual draw in the Hawkeye State, earning an 8-vote victory over the former Pennsylvania senator.
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ROTFLMFAO!!!!
This entire fiasco is just TOO entertaining...
more popcorn anyone?
Seriously, the sad, sobering thing is that NONE of these wannabe clowns look nor behave as a John Kennedy or Richard Nixon, and therefore none look like Presidential material to the voters. Scary to imagine one of them in the White House with their finger on the trigger....
Agreed
Just think how theyre all better than Obama.
Please insist that the candidates answer the questions. We have heard enough platitudes and cliches. If the candidate does not answer clearly and directly, point out that he avoided answering, ask why he refused to answer, and insist on real answers to future questions. Moderators: you are responsible for getting answers and complicit if you allow the candidates to evade answers with insulting blather.
AMEN to that!!
These debates should NOT be the venue for spin, deflection, and untruths.
Straighten them out and correct the formats; this is NOT some Hollywood production for a popularity contest or magazine cover gig... it should be SERIOUS stuff!
Face it, all of you, these debates are merely a comedy show. Absolutely no one can takes these jerks seriously!
Why are these trolls always citing Reaganism??? Regan was a complete and total failure not a hero. He was the beginning of the race to the bottom. Gee whiz the S&L debacle that we are still paying for was only a glimpse of what was to come.
Power to the rich yep that's working for 1%, the rest of us can go pound sand. It's our fault we're no t rich. Bunch of lazy grifters.
Well actually it is our fault we should be in the streets by the millions.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT..
Question:
If all of these tea bagged scumpublicans are so religious , weren't they just a little bit afraid of being struck by lightning for lying on national tv like that ?
Remember the Crusades? It was okay to put aside "Thou shalt not kill"because it was done in the interest of spreading the greatness of their god. Surely a blatant lie wouldn't cause a ripple of concern.
The liberal media has been cheerleading for Romney in unison like they did with John McCain, but this is not 2008. There are multiple conservative candidates. The only way Romney can get the nomination is if no more candidates drop out of the race. As long as the conservative votes are split over several candidates, Romney is sitting pretty. He has been stuck at 25% for over a year.
Road Warrior...It isn't the liberal media cheering for Romney...No card carrying liberal would want a venture capitalist in the White House. Those cheering for Romney are far more sinister: Big Business...All you have to do to prove that is listen to idiots like Mort Zuckerman of the NY Post blather on and on with petty BS.
What it comes down to in the election of 2012 is this: Give Big Business all the rope it wants to hang itself while taxpayers pay Big Business debts for them and hand over our hard earned tax dollars to their unnecessary subsidies....Or...Put this country back in the hands of the people who earn their daily bread every day, every week, every month, every year...on salaries the Biggie Piggies have stagnated.
The proof of the angst from El Richo Assholios is their fear of not being able to continue to ride that Gravy Train into the unforeseeable future on our money. If the only way El Richo Assholios can earn a living is sitting at a Wall Street computer 24 hours a day plunking "Buy" or "Sell", they need a refresher course in spending THEIR money instead of ours.
That's the main bone of rich ass contention right now...that they can't get their fraudulent, syrup mitts on our payroll tax deductions so they can funnel it to their high risk investments recklessly. Then, when their decisions go bad, we get to pull up their slack with bailouts? No thanks....time for little Wall Street bois to grow up.
as ringmaster ned used to say...bozo's circus is on the air.
If all the Bull S#!% from these debates was currency we could pay off half the National debt. When the Dumbocrats join in after the GOP nominates their candidate, the Bull S#1% will double and we could pay it all off.
Just once, in all these debates, would I like to hear the moderator say "Just answer the damn question that I asked"!
lamo, wouldn't it be funny, if the moderator had a mute button and the debate was on a 7 second delay. When a candidate wasn't answering the question...the mute button would be used lol. All those pre-memorized sound-bite answers, wouldn't exist.
Willard (Mittens) Romney, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich are three of the most devout Chickenhawks on the trail today. Obama could be included as well, but that will count later. These three circus clowns have no problem whatsoever talking tough, and vicariously waging war, as long as somebody else's sons and daughters are fighting and dying for their bravado ! Since all three are pre-programmed marionettes of the Military Industrial Complex, one need not look far to understand why they are even in the race at all. Bought and paid for ! The worst is the mindless, shape shifting robot, Willard Romney. He opted to sit out the Vietnam War while his peers were fighting and dying in Indochina so he could spread the Mormon message whilst living in a Palace in France and bicycling the French countryside, thanks to his deferments, courtesy of Mormon Church elders ! Disgusting coward ! In another time,any one of these three cowards would have pilfered a Titanic lifeboat seat from a woman or child ! Here is a link to the complete Chickenhawk list :
I should not have to be vetting these cowards and doing the Mainstream Media's job for them, but since they are owned by the USA'a largest defense contractors, the chances of them doing it are zero. There is only one choice to restore America to the great nation she once was, and that choice is Ron Paul 2012 !
problem identified
Ron: Let the poor people freeze. No oil subsidies. Mitt: Let them eat states. No Fed help.
Ron Paul is the only candidate who can save this country.
Well, clearly the above mentioned YouTube report about Ron Paul is less definitive than suggested. All they said is that someone else "might" have written it. They "think" they know who it "might" be, but still Ron Paul was responsible for the content so, regardless of whether he wrote it or not, by not reviewing and correcting it, he is responsible for it's content and it suggests he was not offended by those racist remarks. Why did he not review a newsletter in his name? Too busy? Well then, sorry, he is too busy to be president.
The only way Ron Paul could clear himself of this embarrassment is if he could prove he had NO editorial rights to the publication. But I think it is clear he did since it was the "Ron Paul newsletter". Maybe he should have had a low-wage proof reader help to flag things like this. If he decided to save money (sound familiar) or allowed a poor performing employee to degrade the product, either way, then it just demonstrates he was a poor manager.
Note: I'm not saying Ron Paul isn't as good as the rest of this group of presidential wanna-be's. I'm just independently evaluating this particular issue. I'm just saying that I don't think we can sweep this issue under the rug based on the YouTube "special investigative report", at this point in time. The investigation is currently incomplete.
The newsletter has Paul's name on it. He was paid as the editor. He was responsible.
Santorum and Gingrich OPENLY and CURRENTLY make far worse statements about African Americans AND homo sexuals, and somehow, they don't receive a 16th of the scrutiny that Paul does over advertisements written in his 20 plus year old newsletters. Give me a break!
It just dosent pass the smell test,its old dug up dirt and about the only thing they could find. I also keep hearing about him living in the past,some old stuff is good like the constitution! I dont think free trade has worked well. Our dept is so incredible we need someone who is willing to make the cuts.
Romney votes to much like a democrat for me. and the rest are the same ol thing that got us here.
If i didnt know better i would think president Obama is trying to destroy the country on purpose.
People
You are all missing the point. All politicians are as low as low can get. Lawyers are now one step higher on the scum meter than politicians. I would rather my kids become serial killers than become a politician or a lawyer.
It is ALL crap. News about a boil on an athletes butt is more important than this crap being reported. Wake up America. It does not matter anymore........
Change the president and all you get is another pile of crap to deal with....just with a different odor.
Every one needs to focus on each other and their neighbors....let the politicians squirm by them selves in their own filth. Stop wasting time worrying about who can be elected to do this or that. DO things for yourselves. Turn your energy into something important....like you family and friends and a stranger in need.
They(politicians) WILL NOT help you and your needs no matter what you might think . They are after their own self interest....slime.
Wake up....
Once again Americans hear how wonderful the candidates can be, or how terrible they preformed in their respective jobs, and Americans go without solutions to lack of work, the loss of their homes, and a future of uncertain taxes and the security of a better nation. Seems as though the Republicans aren't running for President they are running for a popularity contest?
they all have their faults,but in the end,even if you have to hold your nose when(if) you vote,we must end this tyrant's destructive policies to this land. there will be one and only one chance to repeal obumhole- care and dodd/frank legislation.don't miss your only opputunity to do so.four more years WILL be devastating to our great land.
I always get a big laugh out of people when they call the president a tyrant or dictator. They obviously have never lived under a real dictator or tyrant. Saying things that like that makes them seem so out of touch with the real world.
I really dont care what party is in power i want the usa to survive as a country and Obama isnt helping one bit. I actually look back at Bill Clinton fondly,use his tax rate and spending level as a guide.That would be a step in the right direction.Of course he had the fake DOT com bubble and bill gates to make him look good.
Ron Paul is the only one with plans to save the country.
And I suppose you think the teanut obstructionist congress is...
What truly doesn't help ron, are people who spout the RNC/GOP rhetorical spin, like YOU have in this post. The blind certainly don't help the country survive.
A look at our world position, vis a vis terroists in particular, unemployment numbers, the dow, and healthcare PROVE your statement regarding the President to be untrue. In other words, you are not helping one bit...
None of these candidates will address the actual problem with the economy and that is that we need to bring manufacturing jobs back to this country. I would like this question asked in two parts. First: What is wrong with requiring retailers to purchase a percentage of the goods they purchase for resale in certain categories and when available to be in he form of goods made in America by american workers. Second: If they were businessmen what would they do if such a regulation was in place?
I would ask them why we tolerate corporate execs promoting communist governments and slave/child labor? That is what it amounts to no matter how you cut it.
HELLO! Ron Paul is running 2nd in the polls! Let HIM answer questions! The handful of opportunities that he does get to speak are only given when the question comes in the form of a direct attack. Absolutely ridiculous! (not to mention SUPER obvious)
He was asked a direct question about whether he supports heating oil subsidies for poor people and gave a convoluted answer that ended with auditing the Fed.
well which one of the corporately backed clowns...deserves to be elected...
ALL these folks are better than what we have!
The Problem is that they are NOT focusing on Obama and the Obama Media!
They Need to connect with the PEOPLE and NOT the Press!
Here is a partial list of Mainstream Media chickenhawks, as well. I doubt you will be surprised !
Rush Limbaugh – sought deferment (because of a cyst on his tail end).
Ben Stein, actor, comedian, commentator, activistm etc.
(Rush's conservative brother) David Limbaugh.
George Will – sought graduate school deferment, (too smart to die).
Pat Buchanan – sought deferment (for bad knee).
Pat Robertson – his US Senator father got him out of Korea as soon as the shooting began.
Jam
Sean Hannity (FOX).
Bill O'Reilly: (FOX).
Glenn Beck (FOX).
Steve Doocy (FOX).
Brian Kilmeade (FOX).
Chris Wallace (FOX).
Brit Hume (FOX).
Roger Ailes (FOX).
Carl Cameron (FOX).
Matt Drudge.
Ronald Kessler = Propagandist
Marvin Olasky = Propagandist
Joseph "Joe" McQuaid = Propagandist
Steve Forbes
Michael "Savage" Weiner
Paul Gigot
Bill Kristol
Ralph Reed
Michael Medved
Charlie Daniels
Jerry Falwell
Alan Keyes
Ted Nugent
Chris Matthews
Neil Boortz
"PJ" O'Rourke
Paul Harvey
Tony Snow
Todd Andrew Schnitt = talk show host
Donn Tibbetts =Union Leader reporter
Dinesh D'Souza
You need to update your list so your copy and paste doesn't look like something out of a 1970 article. Many have been long dead. Chris Matthews? Is that the same person who got a tingling feeling up his legs whenever he talks about Obama?
You forgot to add Mitt Romney. Avoided the Vietnam Draft by tucking tail and running to Paris, France on a church mission.
You can add all five of his sons to that chicken list, too.
Yes...please update your list. It seems that you have conveniently left out:
Prince, 50 cent and Alice Cooper.
Why is that??
The one question I would love to see asked of all the candidates is:
"If not yourself, who among you would you like to see President? And why?"
Matt... you would never get an answer, just "When I'm President blah, blah, blah".
Wow - Perry sure makes Newt look good. Perry is religious kow-tower - yikes!!!
In regards to the 60 Minute show revelation, why do our congressman and senators (including their family & friends) get to benefit from insider trading?
Complete Chickenhawk Link !! Dick Cheney for President of the Chickenhawk Nation 2012 ! Newton Grinch for VP. Willard Mittens Romney for Secretary of Defense. Rick Santorum, Secretary of State ! Go Chickenhawks !!
ABO - Anybody but Obama.
Are you serious? Have you been watching these guys? Wow, you are either hard core GOP or in denial!
no he is an idiot...the "ABO" thing just shows that he cant think for himself.....
Obama 2012!!!
Seriously, I just laugh when I see the 'ABO' thingy. It's like the person is saying, I don't know anything about anything, and I don't like any of our candidates....but I'm supposed to vote repub, so...ABO. lmao
Even Bo, the Obama dog would do a better job than Obama has done. I should run my dog against him and really put him to shame, she is much more intelligent than Obama is. Good bye and good riddance Odumbo.
Awe rangewolf...did you really name your dog after Barrack Obama? that's sweet
Hey, It's MEEEE
Learn to read idiot. Your stupidity is true evidence why Obama is in office.
Yea, I'm sure he's not in office because an overwhelming majority of the people voted for him. Naw, that couldn't be it.
It's just that you said your dog was named BO. I assumed that because you like our Prez so much, that you named your dog after your hero. Anyway...have a nice day!